Abstract
The article suggests a new approach to the analysis of unionist projects and contacts between some of the most prominent Jesuits of the time (such as the Italian Jesuit Antonio Possevino and the Polish Jesuit Piotr Skarga) and the leader of Eastern Orthodox Ruthenians, the richest magnate of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Prince Kostiantyn Vasyl’ Ostroz’kyj. The difference between the unionist proposals of Possevino and Skarga, as well as their approach to the contact with Prince Ostroz’kyj is researched in this article. Ostroz’kyj’s plans of 1583-84 regarding the union between the Orthodox Church of the Kyjivan Metropolitanate and the Roman Church, the change of the Prince’s position during the dialogue with the representatives of the Holy See, as well as his proposal of the so-called universal union of 1593 are analyzed, first of all, from the standpoint of dominance of the political interests of the Ostroz’kyj’s family, who considered themselves the rulers of Ruthenia “chosen by God”.
Published Version
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